Profitable Or Unprofitable Fruitful Or Fruitless

Matthew 25:14-30 KJV: 25th Sunday after Pentecost; What will you do? Will you use the talents; the gifts, that God has given you to grow and edify the whole church in heaven and on earth? Will you use those gifts or lose them?

Through Persecution And Suffering

2 Timothy 3:10-17 KJV; Timothy has learned through St. Paul many things including that the faithful will be persecuted. But, we will get through them with the help of God in Christ Jesus.

The Lord Provides

Matthew 10:9-20 KJV; The Lord provides for his servants. Bless those you encounter with peace and if they reject that peace it will return to you. Then it is time to shake the dust off of your feet and leave.

Called To Be Apostles And Servants Of Christ

Romans 1:1,3-7 KJV; Separated unto the gospel of God to be apostles and servants of our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Praise God For He Is With Us

Psalm 113; God is with us always working for our good whether we think so or not.

Be Prepared Let Your Light Shine

Readings from Luke 12:35-40; John 18:12 with brief meditation. Be prepared; keep your light burning for you never know when your last hour will come.

New Wine In New WIneskins

Reading from Psalm 3:1-8 KJV for 2nd Sunday of Pentecost. We can be our own worst enemies. Put aside all anger, jealousy, greed, all malice and live life in love and peace through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

The Last Day Will Come For All People

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

                                                               (Mark 13:31:37 KJV)

I've heard a lot of excuses for not worshipping God and for not following Jesus as a servant to others.  I can't come to worship or fellowship on Wednesdays because that's my bowling night. Talk about a false god! There are other excuses just as poor and some even worse.

According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus warns us to watch and pray for we can never be sure when the last day will come. The world might end tomorrow or never in our lifetimes. But, the last day will come for us all and for many of us sooner than we expect or hoped for. It is not advisable to put off worshipping God and reaching out in Christian love to the people around you. As good as the intention is that day may never come.

As professed Christians we also profess to be lovers and servants of God. Let us not be found sleeping on the job when Christ comes again in full glory. Rise up and live life according to the will of God while there is still time!

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." 

                                                                      (Eph 5:1-2, 9-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Kind

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (1 Peter 2:15-16 KJV)

It does very little good to respond harshly to the harsh words or actions of others. That will only create more dissension and division. It brings about more drama and stress to one's life. It does not glorify God!

Rather God is glorified when we show kindness to those who attack us. If we must and sometimes we must correct someone it is out of love for them.

St. Peter encourages us to to put to silence the ill-speaking tongues our actions. St. Paul's letter to the Romans does the same and adds that by doing so we heap coals of fire upon their heads. It is up to God to decide whether vengeance is warranted and then He will take care of the vengeance. It is our call to love our neighbors and to serve them according to their needs; but, not necessarily their wants as wants are often self-serving and do not glorify God.

"Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

                                                                        (Rom 12:14-21)

God help us to glorify Him by being kind even to our enemies and live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Mouth Of A Fool Invites Ruin

Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

                                                         (Prov 29:8-12 KJV)

Rulers (as well as the media) who buy into and promulgate lies destroy communities. They can destroy entire countries. They care not for the people that they destroy. Leaders who keep moving on their chosen path of destruction in attempts to show that they are the leader and can do what they what because they are in charge are risking the very people that they have been called to defend.

No one know for sure how many people died yesterday in the bombings at Kabul.  The media kept reporting twelve or thirteen. I did not see any report nor did I hear any of the national media ask (other than the Wall Street Journal) ask how many of the allies  and their families that assisted our military over the last twenty years were killed. This morning I am finally seeing the reports of over ninety civilians. But, no one seems to have asked yet if there were any Americans among those civilians. Maybe someone asked and I just didn't hear that one instance. For all of the news releases we're hearing; we're not hearing much new. They are not being as transparent as they promised they would be. 

We are hearing that the Taliban is working with us. They will keep Americans and our allies safe until August 31st. I suspect our leaders think we should actually believe this and trust that this will happen. Do you? Are you willing to trust a terrorist organization that just overthrew a government?

It is not always just the words that we need to listen to. As a country we need to learn to watch their body language as they speak; how they respond to stress; and what they actually do.  Their words may convey an amount of compassion for others but their movements; their actions, do not.

May God protect the people who are subject to rulers who rule only for their own interests. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Good; Seek Peace

Psalm 34:12-22 KJV

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

+++

Depart from evil; do good and seek peace! What person would not want that? I suppose even a person whom we might consider does a lot of evil desires peace in their life. They may desire it; but, don't know how to go about pursuing it. Do they really know that the evil that they have been pursuing not only harms those they perceive as their enemies as well as themselves? Do they know the difference between what is good and what is bad; what is sin and what is not sin?

We are all sinners. That is a fact. However, those who trust in the Lord; those who listen to him; have contrite spirits and they seek peace with him. They not only seek it; they receive it for they are promised that those who trust in him are redeemed. The Lord delivers them. They shall not be desolate. Their lives shall be full. Their spirits will be at peace as they live life in the presence of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Signs and Wonders

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 

                                                                                 (John 4:46-53 KJV)

"Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.." (vs 48)

How many signs and wonders have we seen and yet our faith is less than a mustard seed? It always amazed me that whenever I led or attended healing services they were so very poorly attended. Does no one want to be healed? Does no one believe that God will answer our prayers for health and wholeness?

Actually, I believe that maybe many of us are afraid to see the signs and wonders of God. That might mean our lives will change forever and we kind of like living in our sickness. We sort of like sin. We don't want to be made whole because if we are made whole we might stand up, walk, and follow Jesus.

In reality, we have all seen signs and wonders. We just fail to acknowledge them. We have seen the lame walk; the cancer victim live years after doctors predicted they would die. As we have gotten to know Jesus a little more intimately, we have already seen radical changes in our lives and in our lifestyles. But, does get any credit or glory for this new life; for the healing of our spirits? In some case, yes. In other cases, I am afraid that our egos step in and claim credit for it all.

Miracles abound. They are all around us. Healing and wholeness occur. 

May the Holy Spirit open our ears and our eyes and our hearts to a greater understanding of all that God has done for us. He has granted us wholeness in Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Man or God Pleasers?

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

                                                                                     (Gal 1:6-10 KJV)

Since retirement last spring I have been church shopping in Florida since  it is not appropriate for Lutheran clergy to stay within the congregation that they served at. Yes, we might very well interfere. 

I have not found that looking for a new congregation to worship with to be an easy thing. I have attended a few and I am saddened to say that I was pretty uncomfortable in most. In some, I have heard only the law. In others I heard a  whole lot of forgiveness without any call to repentance. I have witnessed some pretty heretical things going on and being said during worship. The Word and the explanation of the Sacraments get watered down to make it more comfortable for the people in the pews. 

Regarding what we believe, Article VII (Of the Church) of the Augsburg Confession states: "Also they teach that one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered."

I am well aware that there are more than a few who would not wish to see me in their congregations. At the same time I am still looking for a congregation where worship is about pleasing God and not man.

God help us to be servants of Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Accepted or Rejected

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

                                                                                Acts 28:16-22 KJV

There were always be those who support the servants of God and there will also always be those who will do anything and everything to subvert the message brought by God's servants.

Paul had finally made it to Rome under guard. The believers from the area went to meet him when they heard that he was there. The local Jewish leaders also wanted to hear from him. But, they wanted to hear because they have heard only bad things about this Christian sect. Whether it is accepted or rejected; Paul, the prisoner, was still provided opportunities by God to proclaim the message of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ to many people.

Sometimes, we will share the Good News with people whom we think might be open to it. At other times, we will keep our lips closed for fear that the message (and we) will be rejected. This was not the way that Paul followed. It was definitely not The Way of Jesus. The Good News is for all people. Do not be afraid to share it.

We are called and sent to share the message of forgiveness and reconciliation in the Kingdom through the sacrifice of Jesus. Maybe we should ask ourselves what news it is that we share most often with others. Is that message about our favorite sports team or politician or maybe television star or musician? 

Hmmm... We humans tend to place a lot of emphasis on false gods. What about sharing the message of peace; the peace that is received in the knowledge of what Christ has done for us? For the Christian, there can be no greater focus than on sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord with those who do not know him. Do not be afraid to do that! Whether the message is accepted or rejected, it is still the message that saves lives. Give them a chance to know it and to know Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Haman's Ego Was The Death Of Him

Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

                                                                                     (Esther 5:7-13 KJV)

Oh my... Haman has some serious ego issues. Invited to eat with the King Xerxes at Queen Esther's table, he is so excited, he's running about bragging how important he is. He does not even suspect that Queen Esther is very dear and related to the man at the gate, Mordecai, whom Haman desires to have destroyed. He does not suspect that he is walking into a trap. 

Deluded! Haman is quite delusional. His ego has gotten the better of him. He has been blinded by his own glory! Haman thinks he can manipulate people for his own purposes (personal and political) and get away with it. He will not. The tables are turning and Esther is playing the game. She will use his ego to save her people. Haman will end up on the gallows that he is preparing for Mordecai.

Ego will blind us to reality. Ego will be our destruction and possibly the destruction of the people around us. 

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

                                                                                              (Phil 2:3-8)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Servants Of All

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 

                                                                                (1 Cor 9:19-23 KJV)

As servants of Christ we become servants to all. Servants of God do not lift themselves up above others. The only one they lift up is God. When we lift ourselves up over others, we make ourselves into a god; a false. Christians do not idolize or worship any man or woman. 

Paul did not consider himself to be above others; although he could have as he had stature in the world of that time both as a Jew and as a Roman citizen. He considered himself a servant of God; a servant sent to deliver the message of Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead for all who would believe in him.  He delivered the message of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah.

We are created equal, each with his own gifts. None is greater than another. We do simply what we are called to do, use those gifts for the gospel's sake. In order to share the Gospel it is most helpful not to be lording our lifestyles over another's. It is most helpful to humble ourselves and meet people where they are.

There is only one God. He is the only one that we lift up. We do not idolize politicians, media celebrities, sports figures, religious personalities, or anyone else. That would be idolatry. And, we definitely need to ensure that no one is making a false idol out of us!

So save the applause and say Hallelujah, all praise to the living God, Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J

If The World Hates You

 

"If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me." (John 15:18-21 NRSV)

Being hated or persecuted when you have done nothing wrong can be very tiring. But, there is a consolation in it. We are hated because we belong to the Kingdom of God and not the world. The world rejects Jesus. Those who follow in worldly ways have rejected "The Way" that Jesus would have us go. The world has rejected our Father in heaven. The world will persecute; the world hate the followers of Jesus. That is just the way it is. That may be hurtful at times. But, it is also a reason to rejoice for we know that the world hated Jesus first.

It we are to be hated; then let us rejoice that the reason we are despised (even feared) is on account of the name of Jesus.  Let us rejoice; also, that there are multitudes of brothers and sisters in Christ who do not reject or hate us because they do, in fact, love Jesus. They do not reject the Good News that we would share with others. They do not reject our word; because our word is the Word given to us, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

If The World Hates You

If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. (John 15:18-22 NRSV)

It can be a tough world for Christians who desire to be faithful. You may have friends. But, you will also in all likelihood have a lot of enemies if your first love is Jesus. The world did not (does not) love Jesus and will not love his followers, either.

A few years ago, I knew a young girl who belonged to a Christian group that thinks females should wear long dresses or skirts all of the time.  Wearing a dress has actually become a symbol of faith in Jesus for that particular faith community to the people in the larger community. A woman who dresses in this manner is easily recognized as a dedicated Christian of that particular denomination. This child wore dresses to school all of the time. To put it bluntly; she was bullied quite a lot because of it. 

There will be those who definitely don't like you if you don't conform to the standards of the world around you. Not conforming to the world's standards may (and probably will) even get you bullied and persecuted. You might even accused of not being a "real" Christian and that you are or that you bow down to the anti-Christ.

If the world hates those who strive to be faithful to Jesus and to their call in Christ; if it hates you; remember that the world hated Jesus first. You are in good, real good, company.

God's Peace - Pr. J  

Becoming Less

They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

                                                                                 (John 3:26-30 NIV)

John and Jesus are cousins; most probably friends, as well. They both are called for specific purposes to serve God and humankind. There is no jealousy between the two. There is no competition. John in no way tries to usurp Jesus' authority. When John is about to leave the service of God on earth, by nothing less than death, he is more than willing to become less so that Christ may become not just greater; but, the greatest that has ever walked and served upon the earth.

It would be so awesome if the servants of God on earth today would be so willing to step aside when their time is done so that others that God has called can do the ministry to which they also have been called. But, often they don't. Their egos get in the way.

It should be a joyful thing to see others step up to serve the Lord in faith.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Respect Civil Authorities

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Rom 13:1-4 NIV)

Concerning Civil Government.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power which exists anywhere is ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom. 13:1-4.

Book of Concord; Luther's Small Catechism/Table of Duties

 

We see more and more disrespect for our elected officials and public servants as each year passes. Unless, it clearly goes against the word and the will of God there is no excuse for the public to persecute these men and women so unjustly. I am old enough to remember a time when whether we particularly liked our president or not, we still respected the office of the President of the United States and we showed it. It's not all that apparent today. There are peaceful means in place to replace them. If the majority wants someone out of office they will use those means. We do not have to become so ugly that we look like bullies to do it.

 

A person gets stopped because of a possible traffic violation and instead of cooperating they choose to disrespect the person stopping them by refusing to cooperate. A neighbor reports unruly behavior and instead of responding calmly to the officers or possibly protective service workers who show up at your door; they are met by all sorts of disrespectful attitudes and behavior. That is surely not God's will. Those men and women who are responding to the call are there to ensure that you and all of your household are safe and well.

 

It is not God's will that we should set ourselves in such a high place that we think that we are above the law of the land. The law of the land is not just for everyone else. It is for all people. It is not God's will that we should act like uncooperative bullies; but, to use the system that has been set in place for the good of all people. Use the system to try to change the system if it needs changing. Violence against others is not the way to get what you might want. Those who would encourage other than peaceful protests that result in harm to others as well as the property of others go against the will of God. He is the provider of all. We don't get to destroy the property of others and still say that we are doing God's will.

 

God's will is for the good of all people; not just for you; not just for the few.

 

May God help us to live peacefully in the land.

 

Pr. J